Oh, what a night!

A glittering venue, awe-inspiring women and dazzling A-listers made for a truly amazing party at Cosmo's Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2008…

Here at Cosmo, we like - make that love - a party. And they don't come much bigger or brighter than our own Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards 2008 with Olay - even if we do say so ourselves! The women you voted as the bravest and most inspiring of the year mingled with some of Britain's biggest stars to make it a night to truly remember.

Flashbulbs popped and autograph hunters hovered as celebrities descended on the regal Banqueting House in Whitehall, London. Guests included a smouldering Kim Cattrall, Dannii Minogue looking beautiful in black, Cosmo's Ultimate Hottie Gethin Jones, the supercool Sugababes, and Gavin And Stacey's Mat Horne and James Corden, who were spotted play-wrestling with a dapper Dominic Cooper - sadly, they didn't let us join in...

But what made the Awards so special were the 'real' women who'd done extraordinary things. Nominated by you, they received prestigious Cosmo Awards, honouring their Fun Fearless attitudes. Everyone mingled at a champagne drinks reception, before moving up to the pink- and-pearl draped dining hall to enjoy a sumptuous meal. Then the tears began flowing as readily as the bubbly as our amazing, inspiring and downright fabulous winners were announced.

Cosmo favourite Fearne Cotton shimmered as our stunning host, proving it's possible to be feisty, funny and sexy all at once. Later, Paralympic gold medallist and Cosmo's Ultimate Against-All-Odds Star Heather Frederiksen reduced the audience to tears with a speech dedicated to her best friend; and Vernon Kay made everyone stand to pay tribute to quadruple-transplant survivor Allison John, who picked up our Ultimate Survivor Award. Kim Cattrall - our Ultimate Icon - got the room cheering with her tribute to Cosmo, telling the audience, "For me, Cosmo was a survival guide before I knew anything about sex, so this is a great honour." Thanks, Kim!

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Our Ultimate Friends, Emma Freeborn and Laura Holgate, received their awards from former All Saints Nicole Appleton and Melanie Blatt, who said, in true Cosmo spirit, "We both know how important it is to have a best friend by your side through the good times and the bad. You should never underestimate the power of true friendship!"

Meanwhile, Olay's Ultimate Confidence Queen Alesha Dixon lived up to her title when she revealed she'd had her wisdom teeth removed just a few hours earlier. "I refused to let anything stop me coming to the Cosmo Awards," she told us. "To be at an event that celebrates women is truly an honour, but to win an award? Well, what a fantastic way to round off an amazing year. Thanks, Cosmo!"

After the Awards ceremony, all the winners and other guests were invited to dance the night away to the tunes of DJ Jodie Harsh at our after party. No one enjoyed the evening more than Cosmo readers Francesca and Samantha Murray, who earnt their place among the stars by nominating their favourite celebs and real-life heroes. "This is the most exciting thing I've ever been to," Francesca grinned. "I can't believe we're here!"

By 1am, when everyone was shimmied out, our guests grabbed a goody bag stuffed to bursting with fabulous freebies before heading home. The good news? It's just 12 months until next year's event...

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